In the Holy Land

Hey friends and family,

I'm back in Israel. I've been here for almost 2 weeks now. It took me two days of travel to get to Israel (I had a twelve hour lay over in Kyev, Ukraine). I arrived at 2:30 in the morning, and in the first 24 hours I had to get a cell-phone, move all my belongings to Har Nof, Jerusalem, unpack, repack for the Birthright Trip that occupied the last ten days. I had just over 24 hours after my arrival, to prepare. I took a Nesher back at 3:00 in the a.m. to Ben Gurion Airport to great the kids on the birthright trip.

A few words about the trip: I was sincerely blessed to get this job. My friend Rachel Greiff called me a few days before my flight and asked me if I would be interested. A half hour later, I got the job. The Torah study program I'm doing doesn't start until the 24th. And from the time I touched down, I would have had a full 20 days to tour, hang out and visit friends. By staffing the birthright trip, I got to tour for ten of these days for free while chilling and growing with 43 incredible people the whole time. It was certainly hectic, but I was able to help many of the students connect with their Jewish identities.

I've only ever participated in a birthright trip. So given my relative inexperience with the whole staffing component of the trip, I was proud to hear that many were very satisfied and felt that I really helped "make" this birthright trip the experience that it was.

I took essentially no pictures on the trip; I have already been to some of the places that we visited, and for others it would not have been advisable to bring a camera.

I do however have one picture I would like to share:


This cup has been with me for the last 14 years. I got it when my parents took my sister and me to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. They bought me water ice that was served in this cup and I've been using it ever since. It has accompanied me throughout all my journeys at home and abroad. I'm slightly devastated that it has cracked (in transport) since it is essentially the oldest relic of my past that I still carry with me, and use regularly.

That's all I have to say about that.